Cotton baling machine



Dec. v25, 1934. M. BETHEL COTTON BALING MACHINE 9 sheets-sheet l Filed March l5, 1935 00d E l'smaentior MQW C Ittornegs.

Dec. 2-5, 1934. M. BETHEI.

COTTON BALING MACHINE Filed March l5, 1933 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm Q7 ventor 1116950004 561ml :m

Gttomegs.

M. BETHEL Dec. 25, 1934.

COTTON BALING MACHINE Filed March 1.5, 1933 9 sheets-sheet Dec. 25, 1934. M. BETHEL COTTON BALING MACHINE Filed March 15, 195s 9 sheets-sheet 4' Ch m Q3 1 @l/'00d el'llellfnventor Bg l attorneys.

Dec. 25, 1934. M BETHEL 1,985,438

COTTON BALING MACHINE Filed March 15, 1933 9 sheets-Sheet 5 mww- MW- 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 if i Dec. 25, 1934. M BETHEL COTTON BALING MACHINE Filed March-15, 1933 (litem-legs.

Dec. 25, 1934. M` BETHEL.

COTTON BALING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Snventor Filed March l5, 1933 M. BETHEL Dec. 25, 1934.

BALING MACHINE COTTON Filed March l5. 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Gttornegs,

De.25,1934. f M -B'ETHEL 1,985,433

COTTON BALING MACHINE -Filed March l5. 1933 Q Sheets-Sheet 9 HHIHII l tIl; 'lll/1l lill ,Mzywod :Summer Gttomegs.

Patented Dec. 25, 1934 UNITED STATES oo'rToN'BA'LING MACHINE Maywood Bethel,vv Hext, Tex. l Application March 15, 193s, seriaiNo'. 660,949

4 claima' (ol. 100k- 12) This invention relates to baling machinesand4 particularly to baling machines designed for use in baling cotton. y p f Y The primary `object of the invention is to provide a baling machine including a horizontalbo'dy portion and a reciprocatingtramper operating in a horizontal plane,l thereby providing a machine which may be installed onthe same oor level with the battery of gin stands associated therewith, the variousl parts of the machine being exceptionally accessible, to the end that repairs and kadjustments may be made with facility.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of a construction so that the coni.) denser associated with the machine may be lowered appreciably, thereby reducing the length of the lint ue and reducing the cost of operation to the minimum.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, itbeing understood that changes in the precise embodiment of 35 the invention herein disclosed, may bemade within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.v

- Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a cotton baling machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2. 35 Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectionalview through the machine, taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a front end view of the machine;

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 6 0f Figure 1.

40 Figure 7 is a sectional View taken on line 7 7 of Figure 1. Figure 8 is asectional View taken on line 8 8 of Figure l. l

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Figure l1.

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional View through one of the carriages supporting one of the main dogs of the machine.

A Figure 11 is a fragmental sectional view through 0 the feed tubeof the machine. y

Figure 12 is a View illustrating one of the forward lint dogs.

Figure 13 is a view illustrating one of the'rear lint dogs.

Figure 14 is a plan View of the tramper.I

VFigure 151is av plan View of the follow block. l

Figure 16'is a-plan view ofthe header block. Figure 17 is a sectional View .taken online 17 17 of Figure 9.

Figure 18 is a front elevational viewof the-lint 5 sweeparm. i

Figure 19 is a plan view ofthe sweep arm actuating mechanism. i I 1 Figure 20` isa `sectional View taken` on line 20 20 of Figure r19, illustrating the locking mech- 10v anism used in temporarily locking the sweep arm against movement at the end of its stroke.

Figure 21 is a sectional View taken on line 21 21 of Figure 19, illustratingtheV locking member at the opposite side of the machine.`

Figure 22 is a sectional view through a modiiied form of locking member.V y Figure 23 isv afsectional View through the tieout chamber, illustrating the bottom thereof swung v'downwardly releasing the bale. 20

Figure 24 is a view illustrating the means for securing the top and bottom plates of the tieout chamber. Figure 25 is a modified form of securing means. Figure 26 Vis a plan view of a bale of cotton after 25 it has been baled by the machine.

' Figure 27-is a View illustrating a modied form of power mechanism. f

Figure- 28 is a sectional view' taken on line 28 28 of Figure 27. y

Figure 29 is a sectional View through a modified form of sweep arm operating mechanism;

Figure 30 is a sectional View taken on line 30-30 of Figure 29. Y Figure 31 is a fragmental sectional View through 35' one of the pivoted bars of the sweep arm operator. Figure 32 is a longitudinal sectional View through another modified form of'sweep arm operatingmechanism. p Figure 33 is a plan view of the vmodified form 40 ofv operating mechanism, shown by Figure`32. n Referring to the drawings in detail, the baling machine comprisesa horizontally disposed body portion, the sides thereof embodying-upperlongitudinal angle bars 5, lower longitudinal angle bars 6, and pairs of intermediate angle bars 7, the flanges 8 of all of the bars extending out-` wardly, as clearly shown by Figure 8 of the drawings.

are spaced from the lower anges 8 of the bars 5, providing upper longitudinal guideways 9, while the upper flangesl 8 of the lower bars 6, are spaced from the lower angesof the lowermost bars 7, providing lower longitudinal guideways 10. These The upper flanges 8 of the uppermost bars 7, 50.

'1.2 angle bars 5, 6 and '7 are held in proper spaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the vertical bars 11 disposed at the ends of the bars.

Secured to the flanges 8 of the upper and lower bars at opposite sides of the machine, are longitudinal plates 12 that are held in spaced relation by means of the angle bars 13, thereby providing longitudinal lateral dog block housings 14 in whichthe dog blocks or carriages 15, operatathe dog blockscarrying ,the main dogs 16. i.

The bottom of the machine comprises plate 17 that extends throughout the length and width of the body portion, while the top of the body portion comprises the plate 18. f

Supporting legs 19 are provided and'constitute the support for the body pQrtion.`

At the forward end of the body portion is'a" tie-out chamber indicated by the referencecharacter 20, that includes a hinged upper wall 21, a hinged 'bottom 22, andvlatera'lly movable side walls 23 andf24 respectively, therebeing provided anglebars ,25 carried bythe upper `wall 21 and the bottom 22, overlapping theedgesA of :the side walls 23 and `2.4, bracing the side walls. y

Thus it will be seen that due to this Vv'oonstruction, the. tie-out-chamber may be spread, allowing the bale, held therein, to be kreadily removed. A toggle 26 has connection with :the bottom 22, 'and is operated by the lever 27;

Mounted in bearingsat the forward end of the tie-out chamber, is the shaft 28, on which the gear 29 is mounted, the gear being rotated by the worm gear 30 mounted on the forward end of the power shaft 31, `operated from a suitable power device, and controlled by the reversing gear 32. q y

The reference eharacter 33 designates drums mounted on the shaft 28, near the ends thereof, on which drums the power cables 34 are wound, the cables passing through the housings 14, each cable passing over the power pulley 35'mounted within the dog block or carriage 15, associated therewith. e

These power cables 34 now pass forwardly and over pulleys 36 held within the brackets` 37 that are secured within the housings at the sides lof the body portion. p

After the cables 34 pass over the pulleys 36, they extend rearwardly and extend over. pulleys 38 mounted within the dog blocks or ycarriages 15 from where they extend forwardly andl are anchored to the take-up shaft 39. y

Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the power cables will be wound on the drums 33 drawing the main dog blocks or carriages towards the forward end of the machine.

Reversing cables 40 operate over the pulleys 41 and. extend laterally where they are secured to the shaft 28 and wound on the shaft 28 in a direction opposite to the winding of the power cables 34 with the result thatwhen the power cables 34 are being wound on the ldrums 33, the reversing cables will play-off of the shaft 28, and when the shaft 28 is reversed, the reversing cables 40 will be ;wound on the shaft 28, and the power cables play-off of the drums 33 allowing a free movement of the main .dog blocks or carriages, at all times. Cables 40 also move over the pulleys 40 anchored at the rear end of the body portion, and are secured to the bars 41 of the dog blocks or carriages 1-6.r

Operating within the rear end of the body portion is the tramper of the machine, the tramper being indicated by the reference character 42*` As clearly shown by Figure 17 of the drawings,

Athe .tramper 42 is constructed of spaced vertical of the wormgear 48 carried atthe forward end of the shaft 49. This shaft 49 is operated by means of a belt not shown, which operates over the pulleys 50 and 50 respectively, the pulley 50 being'anV idle pulley.

The. gear -47 operates within the housing 51 that extends from the rear end of the body portionpf the machine. The guide ways 52 and 53 are -disposed on opposite sides of the crank shaft 45, and are arranged on the frame of the machinarabove .the gear 47, .as clearly shown vby Figure. 9-

Slides 54 and 54 move in the guide ways 52 and 53-and operate the horizontal shaft 55, through the links! .5.6 that connect with the arms 5'7 which depend from the shaft55, An arm 58 is carried bythe upper end ofthe crank shaft 45, and operates in a horizontal plane, the outer end of ythe armfoarrying the roller 59 which moved into and out of the slides 54 during each cycle of rotation thereof.A

An upstanding plate 60 is carried by *the slide 54, and lies in thepath of travel of the roller 59, with the result thatfas the arm 58 rotates, the roller 59 .engages the plate 60 moving the slides and shaft.

Plates 61 extend upwardly from the slide 54 and also lie within the path of travel of the roller 59. For-med in the inner side walls of the slides, are openings 62,l and 63, which openings are ar` ranged adjacent to the plates 60 and 61 so that when the `roller 59 moves intoy the openings, the roller will contact with the plates.

Openings 64 are formed in the inner walls of the guide ways near the forward and rear ends thereof, and allow the roller to pass through the guide ways, as the arm 58 rotates. Therefore, with each complete rotation of the arm 58, the slidesmove through the lengths ofthe guideways, in both directions.

In order that the slides will be held temporarily against movement, -pivoted latch members 65 are provided and supported in the bottoms of the slides, the latch members having extensions -66 that move .through registering openings formed in the slides and guideways, the opposite ends of the latch members lying within the path of travel of the roller 59 so that at the time the roller contacts with the plates of the slides to move the slides, `the latch members are operated releasing the slides.

In the modified form of latch as shown by Figure 22, the latch which is indicated by the reference character 67 swings vertically and passes into registering openings in the side anges of the slides, the vlatch also being in the path of travel of .the arm 58 and roller 59 carried thereby.

Secured to the shaft 55, are the sweep arms 68 that operate through slots in the lower wall of the feed tube 69, the sweep arms moving throughout the entirelength of the feed tube, with each movement of the sweep arm.

The reference character 76 designates the sweep blade which is pivotally connected to the sweep arms 68, at fil, the action of the sweep arms 68 j and sweep blade 70', being to sweep cotton through the feed tube and into the body portion of the machine, into the path of travel of the tramper 4m I .fwardly, and the sweep blade 70 swings to the dotted-line position shown by Figure 4 of the drawings, it is necessary to movevtlieesweep blade 70 `to its extended position. This isaccomplished Yby the blade 70 contacting with the fingers '72 which vare'pivotally mountedonithe arms 73, the fingers 72 .being held inthepath of travel of the sweep blade 70, by means of the spring 74. 'f

,The condenser, which isfindicated by the refer'- I -ence character 75, isof the usual and well known lcc construction, andy directscotton tothe feed vtube 69. s f 1. 'i Asclearly shown by Figure 410i the' drawings, the front wall ofthe feeder tube `69, is construct-r ed in such a way that it will swing upwardly to the position as shown in dotted lines, whereupon access to' the interior of the bodyportion ofthe machine may be had through the opening at the top of the machine, and through `whichthecote tonisfed.v y. .f

1 AInxthe Vformationofa bale ofv cotton, afollow block is employed, the follow blocklbeing indicated by the reference character 76, and as shown comprises front and rear walls 77 and78 respectively, which walls are spacedy apart, andheld in such spacedrelation by means of the` upper and lower bars 79, which bars have substantially V-shaped out out portions 80 in the ends thereof, for purposes tobe hereinaftermore fully described. v

This follow block is inserted into the body portion, through `the opening kfat lthe discharge end of the feeder tube 69, and is moved by means of the-tongues 81 thatl are -securedzto the lower end ofthe cable 82 that operates over the shaft 83 of the carriage 84. This carriage 84 moves over the tracks 85 that are supported `above the body portion of the machine, by means of the uprights 86. Y n v @perating cable 87 operates'over the pulley 88, which in turn is secured to theY shaft 83, for rotating the shaft 83 to raise or lowerpthe tongues r81.

Thus it will be seen that duel to'this construetion, the carriage 84 maybe moved toa position as shown by Figurek 1 ofthe drawings, and the tongslowered into engagement with the follow block. The lfollow block -may nowr be elevated from the body portion of the machine, and transferred to the rear end of the machine,y where it may be again dropped into the body of themachine directly in front of the tramper, to form the bale, as the follow block moves forwardly through the machine,

The follow block is operated bymeans of theV dogs 16,-that extend inwardly through the longitudinalv guideways-9 and 10,'formed at the sides of the machine, the inner ends of the dogs v16 being notched as at 88', to fit overy the inner side l edges of the follow block, gripping the follow block in a way to insure against slipping, 'at their their points of contact with the follow block.

The follow block forms the bale, by forcing the cotton, which has been deposited infthe body portion ofthe machine, forwardly against the header 89', whichy is held stationary vwithin the outerend" of the tie-out chamber 20, which is the chamber shown at the outer endof the machine. i

It will of course be understood that the elon'- i" gated bo'dy-portionof the machine is divided into a charge .chamber 90, and a forming chamber 91j. AsV the carriages move longitudinally of the body portion Aof the machine, towards the outer end thereof, the follow block will be carried forwardly, pressing the cotton into a bale. s

r The cotton which is fed into the body portion ofthe machine and trampedby the tramper 42, isheldagainst movement into the tie-out cham-'- ber 20, by means of the forward lint dogs 92, that l are-mounted on the shafts 93 and 94 respectively, and extended into the body portion of Jthe machine, through openings formed in the bottom, and top of' 'the machine. These forward lint dogs 92', are operated by the levers 95, that have connection with the shafts 93 and 94, through the links '96." i r f Therear lint dogs197 extend into the body portionofvthe machine, near the rear end of the machine, and areso mountedthat they will swing forwardly, allowing the cotton to pass intofthe body portion of the machine, but prevent return movement of the cotton.

AExtending rearwardly from the tramper are spaced tramper slats 98, that arevadapted tol move topositions over the' discharge end of the feeder tube, preventing cotton from being fed into the machine, during the return movement -of the tramper 20. s

It `might ,be further stated that when the pivoted sides, top and bottom of the tie-out chamber,

are moved to their closed positions, they are held in suchl positions bymeans of the connected bolts 99 that pass through the top and bottom members ofthe tie-outchamber, where the bolts are supplied withnuts 100 securing the bolts in position. Y I

Another form of securing means! is shown by Figure of the drawings wherein a rod 101is provided, the rod having an 'end 102 fitted under the-bottom of the tie-out chamber, the opposite end'of the rod having an eye-with which the link 103is connected, that in turn connects with the'eye bolt 104 which is fitted within a notch formed in one edge'` of the vtop of the tie-out chamber, where* it is suppliedl with' a nut 105, securing VIthe boltin position. f

The modif-led'form Vof main dogcarriage opere ating means as shown by Figures 27 and 28, of the drawings, includes a main or power shaft 106 mounted extericrly of the body portion and disposed longitudinally thereof, there being provided a'pinion 107 mounted on the forward end of thepower shaft, which pinion-A meshes with pinion 108. Pinion 108 is carried at one endrof the shaft 109, which shaft is supplied with worm gears 110 and 111, respectively.

Screws 112 are disposed within the dog block housings at the sides of the body portion of the machine, where they pass through the nuts 113 that are disposed within the tubes 114 which in turn operate within the tubes 115 supported within the dog block housings. are secured to dog blocks, to move they dog blocks and dogs, longitudinally of the body-of the machine, when the screws 112 are rotated.

In Figures 29 and 30 of the drawings, a modied `form of tramper and sweep arm operating mechanism is shown, and operates in conjunction with the main gear wheel that carries a pin The tubes 114 117 adapted to move into the sockets 118 and 119 4respectively,.of the arms 120 which have pivetal connection with the tramper, at 121.

A coiled spring 122 is disposed between the arms 120, normally holding the arms in their active positions. The shaft 123 on which the main gear wheel 116, is mounted supports the arm 125 that rotates therewith and carries the roller 126 which moves in the sockets 127 of the sliding arms moving the sliding ,arms forwardly and rearwardly.

A connecting link 128 connects with the sliding arms, which link in turn connects with the arm 129 connected to the shaft 130, on which the sweep arms-131 are mounted.

This constructionk converts reciprocating motion into swinging or oscillating movement, operating the sweep arm.

A further modified form of tramper and sweep arm operating mechanism is illustrated by Figures 32 and 33 of the drawings, and in this form of operating mechanism, the rod 132 has its ends connected with the rods 146 that move through the guideways 133 mounted onl the inner surface of the bars 134, to be hereinafter more fully described. K. 1 -v The bars 134 have pivotal connection with the crank shaft 135 which in turn is operated by the power gear 136 that receives -motionfrom the shaft 137 through a worm gear carried thereby which meshes with thej-gear 136, operating in a vertical plane.

Arms 138 are mounted on the crank shaft 135 and carry rollers 139 adapted to contact with the arms 140 which are pivotally supportedv on the bars 134 as at 134', thearmsl140 being also pivotally connected to the links 142, that in turn are pivotally mounted at the ends ofthe bars 141.

Movement is transmitted to the sweep arm 143 through the links 144 and 145. The reference character 146 designates connecting rods that connect the rod 132, with the tramper 147.

The bale cover includes covering material commonly used in covering bales, and as shown comprises members 148 and 149 respectively, the member 149 being positioned over the follow block 76, to engage the pins 150, the ends of the members 149 being extended rearwardly and fitted in the cut out portions 80 of the follow block.

'I'he member 148 is positioned over the header, and portions thereof are extended rearwardly over the header, pins 151 being provided on the header to pierce the cloth material of the cover, securing the cloth material to the header.

It follows that when a bale has been formed, and is extended into the tie-out chamber, the ends of the cover members 148 and 149 are moved towards each other, where they are secured in position around the bale, by means of the usual bale tying bands 152. y y

Owing to the construction of the follow block and header, the spaces between the vertical bars of the follow block and header, provide clearances through which the bands 152 may be eX- tended, where they may be moved into engagement with the bale, tying the bale in a manner as shown by Figure 23 of the drawings.

The operation of the machineis as follows:

When the. machine is started, cotton is fed into the body portion, through the feeder tube 69, by means of the sweep blade 70, which picksup material with each down stroke thereof, and carries the material to the charge chamber 90, directly under the feeder tube 69.

When a predetermined quantity of material has been deposited in the body portion, and tramped by the tramper 42, the machine is stopped and the hinged front wall of the feeder tube is swung outwardly, and the follow block 76 is dropped into the body portion, through the opening.

The machine is now set in motion again and the power cables that have connection with the dog blocks or carriages, are wound on their drums, causing the dog blocks to move longitudinally of the body portion, the dogs 16 thereof engaging the side edges of the follow block, moving the follow block towards the outer end or tie-out chamber of the body portion, and pressing the material between the follow block and header, forming the bale.

During the tramping operation,r the material is held within the body portion, against movement to the tie-out chamber by means of the forward lint dogs 92, however when the tramping operation has'been completed, and it is desired to release the lint from the forming chamber, the levers 95 are'operated, drawing the dogs 92 to their inactive positions, and leaving the body portion free, so that the material may pass to thev tie-out chamber.

It might be further stated that the sweep arm that carries the sweep blade, is timed in its operation, so that with each downward movement of thesweep blade, the tramper is in its initial position, or to` a position clear of the opening between the feeder tube 69 and body portion of the machine.

After the bale has been formed and rests in the tie-out chamber, the walls of the tie-out chamber are opened, and the bale removed therefrom, by the use of the tongs 81.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

1. The combination with a baling machine having a sweep member for sweeping material into the machine, and having a tramper, of a tramper operating means including a gear, slides, means for transmitting movement of the slides to the sweep member, a rotating arm mounted above the slides and operated by the gear, said arm engaging the slides moving the slides as the gear is rotated, pivoted latch members operating in the slides for temporarily holding the slides against movement, and said arm contacting with the latch members operating the latch members to release the slides as the gear rotates.

2. The combination with a baling machine having a sweep member for sweeping material into the machine, of a tramper operating means including a vertical shaft, slides'disposed at one end of the machine and at opposite sides thereof, means for transmitting movement of the slides to the sweep arm, an arm at the upper end of the shaft and rotating in a horizontal plane, a roller on the free end of the last mentioned arm, said roller adapted to move into the slides operating the slides and sweep arm, and latch members operated by the last mentioned arm and normally holding the slides against movement.

3. The combination with a baling machine including a horizontal body portion through which follow blocks move and having a tramper movable longitudinally of the body portion, of carriages operating longitudinally of the body portion and disposed exteriorly of the body portion, whereby material is moved through the body portion, dogs on the carriages and extending into the body portion, the dogs having notches engaging the edges of the follow blocks, whereby the follow blocks are moved through the body portion, dogs spaced throughout the length of the body. portion and extending into the body portion, and the last mentioned dogs adapted to restrict return movement of the follow blocks.

4. The combination with a baling machine including a body portion through which follow blocks move, of carriages operating longitudinally of the body portion, dogs extending into the body portion andl having notches formed in their free ends engaging thef edges of the follow blocks,

whereby the follow blocks are moved throughout the length of the body portion, dogs extending into the body portion, and the last mentioned dogs adapted to restrict return movement of the follow blocks.

MAYWOOD BETHEL. 

